The Italian Navy (Marina Militare) has signed an amendment with OCCAR to study the upgrade of its in-service U212A Todaro-class submarines with technologies developed for the U212 NFS program.
OCCAR press release
Rome, Italy 27 March 2025, Amendment No. 6 to the U212 NFS contract was signed, the last act signed by the outgoing U212 NFS Programme Manager Rear Admiral Cannarozzo Maurizio .
This Amendment adds a new Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) focused on a study for the first batch of U212A Todaro-Class submarines, to determine which systems need to be upgraded using the latest technology developed for the Near Future Submarine (NFS) Programme.
The ECP aims to identify the best technological solutions to install on the U212 A class submarines. Although these boats are still among the most advanced in the world, nearly twenty years have passed since their delivery, and they have accumulated tens of thousands of operating hours. As a result, they now need important upgrades and solutions to replace outdated equipment.
Through the Mid Life Update (MLU) study, OCCAR-EA will pinpoint all systems and equipment that require modern technology, building on what has already been developed and used on the newer NFS units. This will bridge the gap between the two generations of submarines, ensure access to cutting-edge solutions, and allow for a shared logistical support system—bringing clear benefits in terms of cost and efficiency for the Armed Forces.
This MLU sets the stage for beneficial partnerships with other Nations that operate submarines with the same core design, creating more opportunities for joint development and support.
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Naval News comments:
As we recently reported, in addition to the U212A submarine upgrade program, the acquisition of U212NFS, the Italian Navy (Marine Militare) is working to increase its submarine force with two submarines of a new class known as “U212 NFS EVO” which will be larger than the NFS boats currently under production: